When is a VW Ocean NOT an Ocean? Answer below

2into1 · Monday at 6:50 PM

acer said:
This thread has me thinking: why are the models connected to the seaside? I guess it must be a marketing thing.

What will be next? A “California Wave”?

Anyone else want to play?

VW California Strait (of hormuz)

stoobthealien · Tuesday at 7:35 AM

Wannabecamperman · Tuesday at 5:07 PM

stoobthealien said:
View attachment 145488

Aha! So Not an Ocean but a Surf (which replaced the Coast) as suspected.

I think that clarifies that both the sticker and the advert text claiming to be selling a Cali Ocean T6.1 are both incorrect, and very misleading to prospective buyers. Buyer Beware.

Surfer · Tuesday at 7:01 PM

Hi
As stated California Surf is a distinct model. I have an April23 build Surf which has Ocean decals. There was a Surf decal that some models received. I have sought to buy the Surf decals from VW but they have not shown up on the system. Even when giving VIN was told that Ocean was the decal for it ????
Surf have no Auto wipers/ lights, privacy glass or variable cruise, digital dash or nav. 16 in wheels and brakes, Bright Oak kitchen, which is also on non UK spec Oceansas well as Coasts. Quite a few came with optional Awning and Woodstocks.
Definitely a rare model.

PJT1966 · Tuesday at 8:20 PM

I drive a Surf. It has the Ocean decals, which to be honest I like as it makes me feel I got a bargain. I don't think it is missing anything that I'd need. It's missing the awning, fog lights, digital dash, privacy glass, rear camera.

stoobthealien · Tuesday at 9:37 PM

PJT1966 said:
I drive a Surf. It has the Ocean decals, which to be honest I like as it makes me feel I got a bargain. I don't think it is missing anything that I'd need. It's missing the awning, fog lights, digital dash, privacy glass, rear camera.

Nearly all of which can be added for not too much anyway

Alexlex85 · Tuesday at 9:49 PM

So can a t5.1 SE wear an OCEAN badge too?

WelshGas · Tuesday at 10:56 PM

Alexlex85 said:
So can a t5.1 SE wear an OCEAN badge too?

No. SE = Special Edition last of the quality built Californias before the Accountants took over. :Iamsorry

ourcaliforniakid · Wednesday at 8:16 AM

Mine has ACC, Devonports, the grey kitchen with outdoor shower (which was never an option!), upgraded stereo and silver awning. I got a right bargain and the van is awesome. Like others got basically an Ocean for 10K less!

Wannabecamperman · Wednesday at 12:59 PM

ourcaliforniakid said:
Mine has ACC, Devonports, the grey kitchen with outdoor shower (which was never an option!), upgraded stereo and silver awning. I got a right bargain and the van is awesome. Like others got basically an Ocean for 10K less!

Just when you think you know what an Surf is...

It's becoming evident that there are a number of 'hodge-podge' or parts bin Surfs out there with wildly differing specs and stickers / decals to the Coast that it supposedly replaced. @ourcaliforniakid does your V5 say Surf or Ocean?

stoobthealien · Wednesday at 4:25 PM

Wannabecamperman said:
Just when you think you know what an Surf is...

It's becoming evident that there are a number of 'hodge-podge' or parts bin Surfs out there with wildly differing specs and stickers / decals to the Coast that it supposedly replaced. @ourcaliforniakid does your V5 say Surf or Ocean?

Isn't the period when the Surf was built during the height of the post COVID semi-conductor shortage? I bought a Skoda Karoq around the same time and every month there was a new version of the brochure as they addded / removed features depending on what components they could get hold of. It sounds like the Surf was VWs way of churning out as many campervans as possible with whatever bits they could get hold of? For a Karoq (and also a used GLB I was considering for a while built around the same age) it makes buying used really really hard - you end up zooming in on every picture to work out what it does / doesn't have

Wannabecamperman · Wednesday at 4:41 PM

stoobthealien said:
Isn't the period when the Surf was built during the height of the post COVID semi-conductor shortage? I bought a Skoda Karoq around the same time and every month there was a new version of the brochure as they addded / removed features depending on what components they could get hold of. It sounds like the Surf was VWs way of churning out as many campervans as possible with whatever bits they could get hold of? For a Karoq (and also a used GLB I was considering for a while built around the same age) it makes buying used really really hard - you end up zooming in on every picture to work out what it does / doesn't have

I suspect you might be correct. It was precisely this zooming in on the advertised 'Ocean T6.1 for sale' in post 1 that highlighted the issue, as I was convinced that what I was seeing was a Coast.

ourcaliforniakid · Wednesday at 9:02 PM

My V5 is a Surf - such a brilliant van, beyond pleased with it. Parts bin it sure is but it was in budget, looks great and suits our family perfectly!